Union Minister Appeals for Dialogue with Student Protest Group Over NEET Issue

PTI, July 23, 2026, New Delhi: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday appealed to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to come forward for another round of talks with the government, saying issues can be resolved and a way forward can be found only through dialogue.

Speaking to PTI Videos, Singh said that in the last 24 hours, the government has invited the CJP for talks "at least four times".

"I would like to appeal to the students and young friends participating in this protest to come forward for a dialogue. Our doors are open," he said, adding this is a "humble appeal" on behalf of the government.

Singh said the discussion with the protesting students' representatives will be held under the leadership of Union Health Minister and senior BJP leader J. P. Nadda.

"The meeting can take place either at Nadda ji's official residence or at his office. The choice is yours (students' representatives). I will also be present," he said.

The Union Minister said the discussion can be held on the "NEET issue" and all "related matters".

"We are prepared to devote as much time as necessary, be it one, two, three or four hours, according to your convenience. However, please do come forward for a dialogue, because there is no solution without discussion, and without a solution, we cannot chart the way forward," he said.

Earlier in the day, Union Minister J. P. Nadda on Thursday also said the government is ready for further talks with the protesting youth, which can be held either at his office or residence.

Nadda's remarks bear significance as the CJP, which has been spearheading the youth protest at Jantar Mantar over the NEET paper leak, has announced that it will hold the next round of talks with the government either at the protest venue or a neutral place.

Two representatives of the CJP on Monday held the first round of talks with Nadda at his residence, where they placed their demands, including the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Asked if the government is ready for another round of talks with the CJP, Nadda told reporters in the Parliament House complex, "Yes, we are ready."

"They can come either to my residence or my office," he said when asked about the venue of the meeting.

Earlier in the day, Nadda invited the CJP for talks, but its leaders turned down the proposal, according to sources.

On Wednesday too, the CJP had been invited for talks with Nadda, but it turned down the invitation, saying it will hold talks with the government only at a neutral venue.

"An invitation was sent to the CJP by J. P. Nadda for talks today, but those sitting on the stage at the protest site turned down the invitation," a source told news agency PTI.

Addressing a press briefing at the Jantar Mantar on Wednesday, where the CJP has been camping since last month demanding accountability over the NEET paper 'leak' and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, its chief spokesperson Saurav Das said police informed them that Nadda invited them to his residence for a discussion.

"We refused to go to anyone's house or office. The people's court is here. Ministers should come among the people. If they want to talk, it should be held at the Jantar Mantar," Das said.

He, however, said the CJP remains open to dialogue and is willing to consider a neutral venue near the protest site if there are security concerns.

CJP unhappy with the announcement, reiterates demand for Pradhan's resignation.

"…are you imposing after the paper leak has already taken place? That is not going to solve the problem of paper leaks. The real question is why paper leaks are happening in the first place. That question must be answered," he said.

"Applying ointment after an injury is one thing, but the real fight is about preventing the injury from happening in the first place. The injury keeps happening because the people running the system are neither accountable nor competent. Therefore, these measures are not sufficient by any means," he said.